Brazil's Undisputed Superstar? Neymar Jr's Global Tournament Countdown Challenge
While the French winger received the 2025 Ballon d'Or in late September, the Brazilian sensation was undergoing therapy for his latest physical setback of the year - while participating in an online poker tournament.
The 33-year-old Brazilian ace eventually placed as runner-up, collecting around seventy-three thousand pounds in prize money.
It was some consolation on a day when he had to watch the player who once replaced him at Barcelona receive the award he had consistently dreamed to win.
After returning to his youth team Santos in January, the 33-year-old forward has fallen short of expectations, drawing more attention for comparable situations than for his football.
His return home after 12 seasons away was meant to be a chance for him to rediscover his best and, crucially, rekindle a love of football that seemed gone after frustrating spells with PSG and the Saudi club.
Instead, it has been largely underwhelming for everyone concerned.
This reflects the situation that the key issue being asked right now in Brazil is whether Neymar will be part of the upcoming global tournament.
He's facing a deadline.
"All players have to demonstrate that they are ready. The clock is ticking [for him]," 1970 World Cup-winner Tostao commented in his newspaper column.
On midweek, Brazil manager the Italian tactician disclosed his squad for the upcoming games against South Korea and the Asian nation and, once again, Neymar was excluded.
"The Prince", as he was nicknamed when received at Santos in a reference to the legend Pelé, is yet to play under Ancelotti, having been missing from the Selecao for 24 months.
He continues to be an injury doubt for the autumn fixtures, which, in the most pessimistic outlook, will leave him with just a pair of friendly matches in spring 2026 to prove himself to Ancelotti before the revealing of the definitive squad for the World Cup.
"Over a decade and a half, Neymar was Brazil's unquestioned talisman, shouldering enormous expectations on his own," Brazilian icon Cafu remarked.
"But no one wins the World Cup single-handedly. Putting all our hopes on him at the present time is challenging because he finds it hard to even play multiple matches in a row."
'Omission based on skill level signals deeper issues'
Not just has Neymar had various physical concerns since his return to Brazil - he's been absent for 47% of Santos' matches this season - but, when he was able to play, he was a distant from the player who during his zenith dared to challenge the Argentine maestro and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Of his nine goal contributions so far, five have come against teams from lower tiers than Brazil's first division - a goal and assist against Agua Santa, followed by a three goal involvements versus another lower-division opponent, all in the regional competition.
As Santos fight relegation in the Brazilian first tier, the playmaker no longer seems to be the difference maker he once was.
Nevertheless, Ancelotti has insisted that the forward has plenty of time to show he is fit for the World Cup.
"His aim must be to be prepared in June. It doesn't matter if he's in the squad in October, November or March," the coach told L'Equipe newspaper.
Ancelotti created local controversy last month by reportedly trying to shield Neymar, claiming the star had been excluded from the team over physical condition issues.
But then Neymar himself challenged the claim, saying he "was excluded for tactical decisions; it has no connection to my fitness level."
In terms of fan opinion, it undoubtedly worsened the situation for Neymar.
"If the player we have pinned our dreams on to deliver the World Cup is excluded for performance issues, obviously issues exist," Cafu observed.
Is a Ronaldo-style comeback possible for Neymar?
Studies from a leading polling institute found that the Brazilian public are divided over whether Neymar should be included for his next global tournament.
With his 79 goals, Neymar is Brazil's historical leading marksman, but he hasn't improved his situation much with his conduct during matches either.
He seems greater frustration than normal, having argued with fans multiple times in stadiums - it occurred in three consecutive matches in July.
The next month, the striker was reduced to crying after Santos endured a 6-0 home defeat by their rivals - the worst result of his career.
When asked by a reporter about his fitness condition in a game aftermath discussion, he became frustrated: "Again with this, mate? I've responded to this countless times already."
The identical inquiry has been posed to his father and agent Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's plan was to spend a limited period at Santos. For what? To regain fitness. If Neymar was able to feature, amen," he previously explained, causing anger among fans.
There's still a slight hope, however, that Neymar's prime period aren't over and that he will be able to return to prominence the same way striker Ronaldo "Fenômeno" did in 2002 to overcome doubt and physical setbacks to lead Brazil to the World Cup title.
The Brazilian great observes comparisons.
"He's a crucial player for Brazil - there's no one else like Neymar," Ronaldo said during a recent event with the forward in the Brazilian city.
"It's an exaggeration from a small group who believe he's ignoring his fitness rehabilitation.
Anyone who have been in football recognize fully how challenging it is to recover from an injury and restore form and self-belief. He's right on track."
The Brazilian forward has a few decisive months ahead to show that he's not the prince who relinquished his status.
